Marion County residents had a potpourri of Labor Day events to choose from over the weekend. On Sunday, a concert by rising country music star Candy Coburn (left) capped a day of family activities, fireworks and food at the Marion County Fire Chiefs Association fundraiser at Marion County Lake. About 600 people came to the concert, which included a preliminary performance by the band Justus. Ben Steketee, Hillsboro fire chief, said the concerts and the overall event was well received, but did not draw the size of crowd the organization had hoped.
Florence Labor Day Celebration drew people again for its weekend of activities. In the left photo below, the Wichita Caledonian Pipes and Drums Corps marches in the parade on Monday morning before giving an hour-long concert to several hundred listeners gathered across from the stage in front of Cottonwood Valley Bank. In the right photo, Donna McClure of the “Pretty Damn Tasty” barbecue team checks on the brisket cooking in a smoker designed by Burns resident Ron Goodwin during Monday’s competition. The McClures have attended the Florence event every year since its inception, and have been bringing their savory stylings to such gatherings since 1982.
Stan Williams uses on old belt to demonstrate how his waistline shrank during the “Biggest Loser” contest. Williams claimed first place when he dropped 36 percent of his body weight during the first four months of 2008.
Stan Williams admits he is competitive in anything he sets his mind to.
The drag-racing hobbyist from Marion applied his iron will to his bulging waistline and came away the big winner in the county-wide “Biggest Loser” contest, which ended the first week of May.
Keith Burns and Aubrey Collins of Trick Poney perform at the 2007 featured concert, continuing a tradition of big-name bands at Chingawassa Days. These year’s act will be Grand Funk Railroad.
Mike Powers heard disc jockey Clark Sanders of the Golden Oldies Rock 98.5 station wonder, a few years ago, how a small town like Marion could attract a big-name band like Three Dog Night for Chingawassa Days when larger cities couldn’t.
The Hillsboro City Council approved contracts of the sale of city-owned commercial property to two separate developers during a special meeting Monday.
Three lots were sold in the newly platted Hillsboro Business Park to JKC, LLC. The property reportedly will be used by Midway Motors of McPherson to build a new a automobile dealership. Midway Motors recently acquired Irv Schroeder Country Motors in Hillsboro.
Frank Brenneman enjoys his final days in his office in the Mary J. Regier Building. Brenneman is completing his 33rd and final year as mathematics instructor at Tabor College. He has been largely responsible for the establishing a strong reputation for the department. Don Ratzlaff / Free Press
Frank Brenneman speaks about his passion for mathematics as if it were poetry.
“It’s a very artistic thing,” said the longtime professor of mathematical sciences at Tabor College. “It’s not only wanting to get it proved, you want to polish that proof. You want it to be elegant.”
